Hello Moms,
I need help. My almost 4 year old daughter, who's always been an angel, has become moody and unbearable. I'm pretty sure most of her issues are from lack of sleep. She used to sleep at least 10-13 hours a night. I realize she is getting older, and does not require that amount. However, she is fighting sleep, and her father and I are paying the price. When she's tired, the whining starts, pinching, and hitting. I realize this is part of growing up, and it's probably another phase of childhood, but I could really use some advice.
Thank you,
J.
hi
i have four kids and they all go threw these stages of testing to see if you are the parent and if you will stick to what you say. be cunsistant and mean what you say, it may not always seam like what you do is working some children test you alot longer and harder then others. they will eventually get over what they are doing because they have learn that your are the parent and what you say goes.
J.; when she acts tired, whining pinching hitting etc, is when she needs to be taken to bed, she can only stay up if she does not do these things, so she is control of when she goes to be, if tiredness is making her act up and she cant control it, then she must go to bed,or pay for her actions which is bed time, these are ways kids tell us they are tired, that is the time she needs to sleep, recognize the sings and listen to them, even during he day if they do this, they may just need a nap, my son was 14 till i recognized these signs, he would plain alwful, and it took me 14 years, dont wait that long, she is not trying to be naughty , her body is feeling in such a way if she would just go lay down it will be better for her, besides those things are nto acceptable even when not tired, but sometimes there is a reason for how they act, so pay attention to how she is, and how long she has been up when she does this, save yourself 14 years, aahah either way have a happy day D. s
Hi J.,
Have you considered giving her something to help her get to sleep for awhile? You can give her Melatonin with B-6. Melatonin is a natural bi-porduct of the body necessary to obtain sleep. My son takes 3mg a night to help him and it works like a charm. You don't have to give it forever, just long enough to get her back on a good sleep schedule.
Good luck - S.
J.,
Does your daughter have a set bed time?
Our son goes to bed at 7:40pm every night and is usually asleep by 8:30. In the summer bedtime can be a challenge if your daughter's room is too bright for her to sleep. We put dark blue felt over our son's windows to block out most of the light and this seems to help most days. We also run a fan to block out the pool sounds from next door.
Another suggestion would be to limit tv and computer time before bed and instead replace those with reading and cuddle time to help her unwind before bed.
I hope these suggestions help.
Good luck!
-C..
12 hours a night is still what she should be getting and for awhile too.
try lavendar lotion. its very calming to the senses and helps bring on sleep. we have a rule in the house that after 6pm they can drink only water or milk, no sugar. also, no doritos or anything with red or yellow dyes.
plus if you start and keep a sleep routine it helps them to unwind. good luck!
Hi J.!
My dd was diagnosed with ADHD/ODD at age 4. Her symptoms were similar to what you are describing. I felt like my biggest complaint was she didn't sleep and that was causing the behavior problems. Doc said it was the opposite. Guess who was right? Took almost 3 years, but we had a sleep apnea study done on her--she was positive for sleep apnea and had her tonsils out. Night and day difference. No need for day or night meds anymore.
Before she started taking meds to help her sleep, I kid you not--she wouldn't go to "sleep" until around 11-12 pm and she'd wake up around 2 am, "ready" to start her day! She just couldn't sleep!! There were nights she didn't sleep AT ALL! I couldn't understand it. Then, she started taking the meds and those improved her symptoms, but she still didn't sleep well. Now, almost 2 weeks after having her tonsils out, I can see a huge difference. She slept through the night the first night after surgery w/out meds and has since then.
I'd suggest having her tested! :) Best of luck!
Our 4 year old little boy still needs 10 hours of sleep per night AND he still takes a nap - sometimes as long as three hours in the afternoon. We definitely notice it when he "rests" at daycare on his cot and doesn't sleep. On his off days at home, on the weekend, etc. he naps like crazy - I think making up for the sleep he misses while at school. He is definitely moody, can be mean and lashes out at very minor things. Ordinarily, he is a sweet and loving child - so...I think sleep is your issue. Summer can be hard with it being light out later, but with little kids being outside in the fresh air, running around, etc. they still get pretty tired. Good luck.
